San Raffaele
San Raffaele Cimena: A Municipality with a Unique Microclimate
San Raffaele Cimena is a municipality located in the Piedmont region of Italy, in the metropolitan city of Turin, with a population of approximately 3,127 inhabitants. The municipality is divided into three main areas: San Raffaele, Cimena, and La Piana. However, the fraction of Valle Baudana stands out for its unique and extremely rare microclimate, which allows it to enjoy particularly mild temperatures even in the middle of winter and cool temperatures in summer.
Physical Geography
The territory of the municipality of San Raffaele Cimena is characterized by its unique morphology, along with the characteristics of the local flora (especially along the valley floor), which allows one to witness almost unique phenomena in northern Italy. Research institutes (including the National Research Council) have studied this phenomenon and have concluded that the flowering of many tropical plant varieties, such as citrus fruits, prickly pears, bananas, palms, and others, is due to this combination of factors.
History
The history of San Raffaele Cimena dates back to the 4th century when Byzantine soldiers built a chapel dedicated to the Archangel Raphael as a good omen for their return home. Around this chapel, the first inhabited nucleus on the hill was formed. In the 10th century, due to Saracen raids, the population moved up around the Castle, located where the Memorial Park stands today. This village, known as San Raffaele, still clearly differs from the other two main locations in the municipality, Cimena and La Piana.
As for Cimena, it is an area with an even more ancient origin from the Roman era, as the name suggests, probably deriving from the ancient Ligurian language where "cem" or "cim" meant hill or height. In 1596, Cimena became an autonomous municipality, and in 1818 it was annexed to San Raffaele, thus forming the municipality called San Raffaele e Cimena, which lasted until 1928.
Culture and Traditions
San Raffaele Cimena still preserves many traditions and festivities. The feast of San Raffaele, the patron saint of the municipality, is celebrated on October 24th with a procession from the parish church to the Church of San Raffaele dedicated to the Saint.
Additionally, every third Sunday of the month, Cimena hosts the "Antiqua" market, where antique objects, local crafts, and typical products of the area can be found. During the Christmas holidays, one of the main traditions is that of the "Bona Natività," which involves creating a live nativity scene, involving children and inhabitants of the village.
Economy and Tourism
The economy of San Raffaele Cimena is mainly based on agriculture and viticulture, thanks to the geographical position of the municipality. The Valle Baudana area, in particular, is known for the production of high-quality fruits and vegetables, along with the production of wine and olive oil.
Regarding tourism, San Raffaele Cimena offers many interesting proposals, both cultural and naturalistic. In addition to traditional visits to the Church of San Raffaele and the Castle, the surrounding area offers numerous opportunities for hiking or cycling, including the Memorial Park and the Natural Park of the Avigliana Lakes.
Furthermore, San Raffaele Cimena is close to many other tourist destinations in Piedmont, such as Turin, Chivasso, Casale Monferrato, and other cities known for their history and artistic heritage.
Conclusion
San Raffaele Cimena is a municipality with a unique microclimate and an ancient and fascinating history. Its traditions and its economy based on agriculture and viticulture, together with the numerous opportunities for cultural and naturalistic tourism, make it an ideal destination for those who want to discover an authentic and little-known corner of Piedmont.
